Xanthe's fundraiser for Acorns Children's Hospice Trust

Xanthe Constantinou is raising money for Acorns Children's Hospice Trust

In memory of Alexis Constantinou

Story

On 22 March 2025, 19 of us will be doing five hours of spinning in memory of baby Alexis Constantinou for his tenth heavenly birthday, and to raise vital funds for Acorns Children's Hospice.

How will it work?

We’ll be doing five hours of spinning (indoor cycling). That’s ten 30-minute classes, back-to-back. Anyone who has ever done a spin class knows how tough it is … and we’ll be doing ten of them!

We are looking for as many donations as possible. If you can spare anything, all of us, on behalf of Acorns, would be really grateful for your donation.

Acorns Children’s Hospice is a Midlands-based charity that provides essential care for children like Alexis with life-threatening or life-limiting conditions, as well as supporting their families. They depend on charitable giving to run their essential services. So if you can spare *anything*, please, please donate and let’s help Acorns to continue delivering its essential services.

Here's Alexis's story:

Baby Alexis was taken from his loving family tragically young. At just a few months old, doctors discovered that the little boy had Spinal Muscular Atrophy type 1. Unfortunately this is a terminal condition, with a short life expectancy. A matter of days after diagnosis Alexis was admitted to hospital with a chest infection, after which he became weaker. His Mum and Dad had to learn how to suction him and feed him by tube. Periods of hospital admissions and being cared for at home followed. Sadly, though, his condition continued to worsen and so his family turned to Acorns Hospice, which provided care for both baby and family, and tried to make life as normal as it could be.

Sadly Alexis passed away on November 2nd 2015, aged just 7 months old. You can read more about his story and fundraising in his memory here:

https://alexisconstantinou.muchloved.com/

Xanthe’s words:

Thank you for taking time out to read this. Life has been very difficult since losing my little boy Alexis. I will forever continue to support Acorns like they supported us and made sure Alexis was comfortable. I want to keep Alexis’ memory alive and never forget his beautiful smile.

I have been teaching indoor cycling at Harborne Gym for many years (even whilst I was pregnant with Alexis) I have regular members that attend my classes and many are now good friends.

Thanks to these members that are taking on the spinning challenge, you guys are absolutely amazing and I can’t thank you enough!!

The cyclists are:

Jay Edwards (my bestie)

Dora Elkington

Anna Cartledge

Steve (in the corner) Malek

Kwab Danquah